Bookings for the voluntary AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine shots will be officially open at noon tomorrow (May 2), according to Khairy Jamaluddin.

Taking to Twitter, the science, technology, and innovation minister said bookings can be made online here. 

"You already need to be registered and will simply just need to pick a PPV (vaccine dispensation centre) and date.

"Once you have picked a PPV and date, you will be notified of your vaccination time on MySJ (MySejahtera) or via SMS," he said.

He added that there are four designated centres to receive the vaccine shots - Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, World Trade Centre KL, and Ideal Convention Centre Shah Alam.

Reservations will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis for 268,000 individuals aged 18 years old and above.

Responding to public queries, Khairy said the first available appointment date is on May 5.

To a question on health screenings, he said a brief session will be conducted by doctors at the vaccination centres prior to administering the shots.

He also reassured that vaccinations using AstraZeneca are covered under the Covid-19 Vaccine Injury Fund set up to compensate individuals who might suffer side effects from being immunised.

While only available in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Khairy said the government will gauge the success of its opt-in strategy before expanding to other states, pending further deliveries of the vaccine.

The time interval between its first dose and second would be 12 weeks as recommended by the World Health Organisation, and the committee believes this would enable them to give the first dose to more people.